Outreach Group

The Lent CAFOD family fast day is this February 27th. Envelopes are available at the church entrances or donate online at cafod.org.uk/envelope or call 0303 303 3030. Text CAFODLENT to 70085 to donate £10 or use the QR card

Will begin this Tuesday morning from 11 am for about an hour as of 24th Feb. This Lent we will follow the booklet entitled ‘We dare to ask’ which ‘comprises of five sessions which reflect on the Baptismal promises we make or renew at Easter. Accompanied by beautiful sacred art, the sessions include passages of Holy Scripture, prayer and reflective meditations to explore how our baptism is not only rooted within God’s plan of salvation but also a calling to a new way of life.’ Stations of the Cross on Friday evening at 7 pm (using the Stations composed by St. Alphonsus Liguori's)

Will run on a Tuesday morning from 11 am for about an hour as of 24th Feb . This Lent we will follow the booklet entitled ‘We dare to ask’ which ‘comprises of five sessions which reflect on the Baptismal promises we make or renew at Easter. Accompanied by beautiful sacred art, the sessions include passages of Holy Scripture, prayer and reflective meditations to explore how our baptism is not only rooted within God’s plan of salvation but also a calling to a new way of life.’

Our thanks to all those of you who contribute to the parish through the ‘Gift Aid Scheme’ by whatever means. As you may be aware, for every declare £1.00 contributed by a tax-payer to the parish as part of a Registered Charity, generates a further 25 pence, so your £4.00 becomes £5.00 at no extra cost to you. As we approach a new tax year, and if you are a tax-payer contributing to the parish and are not in the gift aid scheme, might we encourage you to join it, please? Many thanks.

Our thanks to Francis for all the work and effort he put into preparing his presentation on rallying 10,000 miles across the world in 10 days in back in 1968! Sharing something of his life experience with other parishioners certainly generated both fascination and interest, affording the opportunity for people to get to know one another more fully.

If you would like to contribute to the food bank, the Food Bank Box is by the side door of the Church and is for contributions of appropriate products as listed, which are gratefully received. The box is emptied regularly and the products are delivered to the local Food Bank Depot, where they are labelled and St Josephs Parish is acknowledged. Should you wish to help with the Food Bank a few more people are needed to assist occasionally with the weekly collection when the regular collectors are away. Please see our own parish website under the heading ‘Churches Together in Dorking at: https://www.sjcc.org.uk/churches-together-dorking Volunteers would need to have their own transport to get the products to the actual food bank depot. Please let Maria know if you’re willing to help. For further details about the foodbank, please see their website at: Dorking Area Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

The Pastoral Plan – The Word Who is Life (From Fr. Chris Bergin):- “Bishop Richard’s appointment as the next Archbishop of Westminster means there are some immediate consequences for us regarding the implementation of the Pastoral Plan in the Epsom Deanery. Whilst some things, by Church Law, are put on hold until a new Bishop arrives – particularly any decision to combine the existing nine parishes into one new parish – other key elements of the Plan remain as important for us as ever; prayer, formation and mission continue to be the priorities that shape our pastoral life. Whilst the parishioner meetings around the nine parishes will not now go ahead as planned (as a significant factor in the planning for these – particularly the timetable – was the proposed changes to structure), the Parish Leadership Team will be working on proposals to enable us to continue our reflections on mission, to celebrate and develop co-operation between our parish communities, and continue to invite all parishioners to get involved. You’ll be able to hear more about this in the next Deanery newsletter which will be available next weekend, 17th/18th January.” Additionally, there's a piece on the Diocesan website about what happens (and doesn't happen) during sede vacante which may be of help: Sede Vacante: Next steps for the Diocese of Arundel & Brighton | News

From SPUC:-The Bill has now passed to the House of Lords for further debate and scrutiny. It is entirely in the Lords’ power to substantially amend and even to reject the Bill. The Bill is now at the Committee stage and will be discussed in the Lords Chamber on the following Fridays: 14 November 21 November 5 December 12 December 9 January 2026 16 January 23 January 30 January 6 February 27 February 13 March 20 March 27 March 24 April Please send letters to Peer asking them to oppose the Bill.” Please use the link:- Fight the Leadbeater bill - SPUC

If you have a Red Box (Mill Hill Missionaries) in your home which is not emptied by the parish collectors or if you would like a Red Box in your home to help the APF’s missionary work, please contact Louis McCulloch on 01306 899001 or louis.mcculloch1@gmail.com .